Big Island Coronavirus Updates – Big Island Now https://bigislandnow.com Big Island News, Weather, Entertainment & More Sat, 19 Apr 2025 12:20:17 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 Reminder: Permanent restrictions remain on the transport of ʻŌhiʻa https://bigislandnow.com/2025/04/19/reminder-permanent-restrictions-remain-on-the-transport-of-%ca%bbohia/ https://bigislandnow.com/2025/04/19/reminder-permanent-restrictions-remain-on-the-transport-of-%ca%bbohia/#comments Sat, 19 Apr 2025 11:55:51 +0000 https://bigislandnow.com/?p=397662 As the 62nd Merrie Monarch Festival begins tomorrow, the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture is reminding travelers that quarantine restrictions remain in effect for the transport of ʻŌhiʻa from Hawaiʻi Island due to the fungal plant disease known as rapid ʻŌhiʻa death (ROD).

Rapid ʻŌhiʻa death is seen affecting the trees in a forest on Hawaiʻi Island.

Rapid ʻŌhiʻa death began devastating the native tree when it was first detected in 2010 in Puna. In 2014, the fungus was initially identified as Ceratocystis fimbriata by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Daniel K. Inouye Agricultural Research Service. However, recent research has reclassified Ceratocystis fimbriata into two distinct species that are new to science: Ceratocystis lukuohia and Ceratocystis huliohia.

Since it was first detected, rapid ʻŌhiʻa death has led to the destruction of at least 1 million ʻŌhiʻa trees on Hawaiʻi Island alone. To help combat the spread to other islands, the Hawaiʻi Board of Agriculture issued an emergency quarantine in August 2015, with a permanent quarantine put in place by 2016.

The quarantine restricts the movement of ʻŌhiʻa plants and plant parts, including flowers, leaves, seeds, stems, twigs, cuttings, untreated wood, logs, mulch, green waste, frass (sawdust from boring insects), and any soil from Hawaiʻi Island. Even if the ʻōhiʻa originated from another island, it may not be transported off the island.

Quarantine inspectors will be stationed at airports in Hilo and Kona on Sunday and Monday, April 27-28, to collect any ʻŌhiʻa material, which will be returned to the native forests on Hawaiʻi Island. During last year’s Merrie Monarch travel period, Hilo inspectors intercepted 27 lei poʻo (head leis).

A lehua flower blooms from an ōhiʻa at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. (Kelsey Walling/Big Island Now)

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience will provide hoʻihoʻi baskets to collect any ʻŌhiʻa. Baskets will also be stationed at the Hilo and Kona airport Plant Quarantine Branch offices.

The Merrie Monarch Festival draws dozens of hula hālau and hundreds of spectators to Hawaiʻi Island. It is important to note that the act of harvesting ʻŌhiʻa may spread the disease, as spores may be carried in soil and by harvesting tools, vehicles, shoes, and clothing to uninfected areas.

  • A lei poʻo is inspected before it is taken by a Department of Agriculture inspector at the Hilo International Airport.

The disease was detected on Kauaʻi in 2018 and on Oʻahu in 2019. Also in 2019, one ʻŌhiʻa tree on Maui was infected and destroyed, and ROD has not been detected on the island since. It is not known how or where the disease entered the state.

Any person who violates the quarantine rule may be charged with a misdemeanor and fined not less than $100, with a maximum fine of $10,000. For a second offense committed within five years of a prior conviction under this rule, the person or organization shall be fined not less than $500 and not more than $25,000.

Travelers seeking more inspection information may contact the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture’s Plant Quarantine offices:

  • Hilo – 808-961-9393
  • Kona – 808-326-1077
  • Kauaʻi – 808-241-7135
  • Honolulu – 808-837-8413
  • Maui – 808-872-3848

The Merrie Monarch Festival is next week from Aprili 20 to 26. Check for a travel alert flyer that has been posted on the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture website.

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Big Island health care providers urge public to mask up, get vaccinated as COVID cases continue to climb https://bigislandnow.com/2024/06/23/big-island-health-care-providers-urge-public-to-mask-up-get-vaccinated-as-covid-cases-continue-to-climb/ https://bigislandnow.com/2024/06/23/big-island-health-care-providers-urge-public-to-mask-up-get-vaccinated-as-covid-cases-continue-to-climb/#comments Sun, 23 Jun 2024 11:00:00 +0000 https://bigislandnow.com/?p=375464 Hundreds of respiratory illnesses circulate through the human population. Most tend to be mild and people simply live with them.

Even if it eventually infects the majority of the world.

A nurse wears a mask Friday. (Photo by Nathan Christophel/Big Island Now)

The COVID-19 pandemic is technically over and most people go about their normal daily lives without thinking much about the coronavirus or any of the more than 26 variants of the original strain that have caused illness since 2019.

“But it is too soon to say COVID is no different from any other respiratory disease,” said Elena Cabatu, director of marketing, legislative and public affairs for the East Hawai‘i Region of Hawai‘i Health Systems Corp. “It still causes many more [emergency room] visits, hospitalizations and deaths compared to influenza and [respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV].”

So 5 years later, it’s not a bad idea to remain cautious, and just because COVID is no longer spreading rampantly because people have developed immunity after being vaccinated, that doesn’t mean hot spots can’t — and don’t — pop up.

Hawai‘i is one of them right now.

COVID cases in the Aloha State, including on the Big Island, have been on the uptick since the beginning of May. Because of the continued increase in cases, the Big Island’s healthcare facilities are again turning to one of the tried and true ways of protecting patients and the public from the spread of COVID and its variants — masking up.

Cabatu said at Hilo Benioff Medical Center, employees in clinical roles who have close and prolonged contact with many patients throughout their workday must wear a mask. It is highly encouraged for non-employees to do so, but not mandatory, and unless a vendor has direct patient contact, masks are recommended but not required.

Generally speaking, some patients also wear masks, but most don’t tolerate it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Most of the Hilo hospital’s visitors are agreeable to wearing a mask, too, and if they don’t have one, staff can provide one. Again, however, it’s not mandatory.

Hilo Benioff Medical Center had 281 emergency room visits and 75 hospitalizations related to COVID between May 1 and June 17. There were 13 people hospitalized June 17 with COVID.

  • Graph courtesy of Hilo Benioff Medical Center
  • Graph courtesy of Hilo Benioff Medical Center
  • Graph courtesy of Queen’s North Hawai‘i Community Hospital

The hospital has also been seeing some flu and RSV cases since the beginning of May, but not nearly as many as COVID.

“Yes, we are back to masks for staff in clinical areas,” said Lynn Scully, marketing and communications manager at Queen’s North Hawai‘i Community Hospital in Waimea. “It’s encouraged for visitors, but not required.”

Caregivers and staff are required to wear a surgical or procedural mask in all clinical areas including inpatient clinical units, outpatient clinics, nursing stations, hallways, meeting rooms and other areas located within clinical units.

Masks are available in the front lobby and departments throughout the hospital.

Kona Community Hospital has no plans to institute a new mask requirement.

Anne Julia P. Padilla, community relations and program manager for the hospital, said while it was experiencing the same increase in numbers are other facilities throughout the past several weeks, the Kona hospital has been noticing a decrease in the number of positive cases visiting its emergency department.

“The hospital does ask patients who have symptoms to take appropriate precautions while seeking care at the hospital,” said Padilla.

Because of the increase in COVID and other respiratory viral infections in the islands, Kaiser Permanente Hawai‘i began on June 17 requiring masks for all physicians, providers and staff at its clinical facilities including medical offices, clinics and Moanalua Medical Center in Honolulu.

That requirement extends to everyone who works in Kaiser’s care delivery areas. Masks also must be worn in areas such as the intensive care unit, oncology, neonatal intensive care unit, pediatrics and pediatric intensive care unit, labor and delivery and mother and baby areas.

For staff and vendors working outside those areas, masks are recommended but not required.

“We believe this additional safety precaution is necessary at this time to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 within our facilities and minimize the spread in our greater community, which not only threatens the health and safety of vulnerable individuals but has the potential to cause staffing shortages that could impact our ability to deliver care,” said Tammy Brownfield, senior director of communications and brand management for Kaiser Permanente Hawai‘i.

Starting June 24, Kaiser will increase communications and post signage strongly encouraging the use of masks by all members and visitors.

Masks will be made available for members and visitors upon request.

“We will continuously monitor community patterns of disease, which is not limited to COVID-19, and other factors to ensure the safety of our members, patients, employees and physicians,” Brownfield said. “Masking requirements for Kaiser Permanente facilities are determined by our local infectious disease, infection prevention and safety experts and will be adjusted as necessary.”

None of the Big Island’s four largest healthcare providers have plans for any other precautionary measures, such as shortened visiting hours or proof of vaccination, while the summer COVID season continues.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health on Wednesday reported a total of 1,180 new COVID cases statewide, including 83 new cases on the Big Island.

Graphic from the Hawai‘i Department of Health

The state is seeing an average of 175 new cases per day throughout a 7-day period, an increase of 3 from the week before. It has a 16.7% test positivity rate. Hawai‘i has had a total of 424,748 COVID cases since case numbers started being recorded by the state.

Hawai‘i County is seeing an average of 14 new cases a day throughout a week, with a 6.6% test positivity rate. The Big Island has recorded a total of 47,229 cases since the state started keeping case numbers.

Between April 28 and May 4, the average statewide positivity rate was just 5.6%.

The increase in COVID activity started in early May and has carried over into June following unusually low numbers in March and April. It also coincides with a national COVID trend that is on the rise, that started in the West.

Dr. Peter Chin Hong, professor of medicine and an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, told ABC News earlier this week that the virus is gaining ground in more than 30 states.

Case numbers are growing throughout the nation heading into the summer months. Viral activity remains relatively low nationwide, but it more than doubled in the western United States during the past month, according to wastewater data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The test positivity rate for the week ending June 8 across the nation showed an increase of 0.8%.

Even more interesting is that in previous years, trends of increasing COVID cases were seen in winter and summer months.

Cabatu explained that the original COVID spike in Hilo came in August and September of 2020. That was followed by a big spike in cases of the delta variant from July to September 2021 and then the omicron 1 variant from December 2021 to February 2022.

The next surge was from the omicron 2 variant from April to September 2022. Since then, there have been smaller spikes in December 2022, August 2022 and January and now June of this year.

“I think the challenge has always been that we were never quite sure what the frequency of sort of the ebb and flow of COVID would be over the typical season. We never sort of really got into that rhythm or if we did it looked like there might be a bigger winter surge most winters and a sort of a small previously kind of late summer surge,” said Dr. Cameron Wolfe, professor of medicine with the Infectious Disease Division at Duke University, to ABC News earlier this week. “Typically after July the Fourth was when we would see those increases. So maybe the fact that we’re seeing a slight increase now is not dramatically different than where we were in past years.”

Cabatu said it could be too soon to predict a pattern, but because of a number of factors, Hawai‘i is unique. At any given time, even before the pandemic, the islands could see all sorts of respiratory illnesses. Flu season is typically in the fall and winter, but it can be less predictable in Hawai‘i.

The recent spike in cases signifies a new COVID variant, one of several KP variants that seems to be more contagious than the variant previously circulating based on case numbers.

Cabatu said that compared to the beginning of the pandemic, yes, there are fewer hospitalizations, especially stays in the ICU and needing ventilators and fewer deaths. Initially, the KP variant did not seem to cause more severe illness, but just in the past month, it has started to particularly affect the elderly more severely.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health was already at the end of May recommending the public take extra precautions to protect themselves and others as COVID cases increased. Their No. 1 tip is to stay up to date on vaccines.

A Big Island first responder gets a COVID-19 vaccination Dec. 23, 2020, in Hilo. (File photo courtesy of Hawai‘i County)

Health experts say getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself from severe illness.

In a March 1 press release, before the most recent COVID case increase began in Hawai‘i, the state Health Department said the islands were trending similarly to the nation; significant declines in COVID hospitalizations and mortality were being associated with a high degree of immunity, availability of vaccines and access to treatment.

Unfortunately, vaccines have a relatively short efficacy. Cabatu said most studies show they only last about 6 months. So this most recent spike in case numbers also could have something to do with a mix of vaccines wearing off and people just not keeping up with their inoculations.

According to the state Health Department, only about 13% of Big Island residents are up to date on their COVID vaccines.

Wolfe told ABC News that the COVID vaccine should become just like the flu vaccine and get fresh each year. Click here to find a vaccine clinic near you.

COVID remains a health concern, and you can take several other precautions along with getting vaccinated and masking up to avoid getting yourself and others sick, including:

  • Stay home if you’re feeling sick and return to usual activities only if you are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines and symptoms are improving.
  • Take a COVID-19 test if you have symptoms and might need treatment. Many respiratory viruses have similar symptoms, but treatments differ. Antiviral treatments for COVID and the flu can prevent hospitalization and death. Treatments work best when taken as soon as possible after symptoms begin.

Additional strategies for reducing COVID and other respiratory disease spread can be found online.

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COVID-19 cases on the rise in Hawai‘i https://bigislandnow.com/2024/05/28/covid-19-cases-on-the-rise-in-hawaii/ https://bigislandnow.com/2024/05/28/covid-19-cases-on-the-rise-in-hawaii/#respond Wed, 29 May 2024 03:38:33 +0000 https://bigislandnow.com/?p=374283 Just when you think it’s safe to go back into the grocery store, department store, restaurant, etc., etc., etc., of course a nasty respiratory illness has to come along and complicate your plans.

The culprit this time? You might have guessed it: COVID-19.

Yes, the scourge that made everyone’s lives that much more difficult beginning in 2020 is again on the rise in Hawai‘i.

Graphic from the Hawai‘i Department of Health Disease Outbreak Control Division COVID-19 website.

COVID-19 is at the yellow, or medium activity level, meaning the virus is circulating at higher levels throughout the state than would be expected based on historic trends, and continuing to increase.

In Hawai‘i County, there were 129 new cases reported the week of May 14-20, the most recent data available. The Big Island is seeing a weekly average of 14 new cases a day.

The state saw an additional 659 new COVID cases reported the same week, with an weekly average of 71 new cases a day.

Case numbers are still updated once a week.

A rundown of the other counties for the week of May 14-20 shows:

  • City and County of Honolulu (O‘ahu): 449 new cases, weekly average of 47 new cases a day.
  • Maui County: 47 new cases, weekly average of 6 new cases a day.
  • Kaua‘i County: 34 new cases, weekly average of 5 new cases a day.

Cases of the flu and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, remain at green statewide, or low activity levels.

Overall acute respiratory disease is at the medium level throughout the islands.

The latest levels of respiratory diseases and levels of infection come from the state’s new Repiratory Disease Dashboard.

The website was developed by the state Health Department’s Disease Outbreak Control Division and provides an at-a-glance snapshot of respiratory disease activity statewide, including COVID-19.

The dashboard addresses not only COVID-19 but other acute respiratory illnesses such as influenza, or the flu, and RSV. Respiratory diseases occur year-round in the islands.

“The new Respiratory Disease Dashboard provides, in one place, a summary of what is happening with several major respiratory viruses that contribute to respiratory disease in Hawai‘i,” said State Epidemiologist Sarah Kemble “This helps people make informed decisions about their health.”

Graphic from the Hawai‘i Department of Health Disease Outbreak Control Division COVID-19 website.

The dashboard shows that COVID testing positivity is higher than expected and climbing, Kemble added, with emergency room visits and hospital admissions increasing.

“Based on this information, I would recommend checking whether you’ve had the 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine, and if not, or if you’re eligible for a repeat dose, go get it today,” she said.

Dashboard trends show COVID remains a health concern, and the public should take reasonable precautions to avoid getting sick. Among them:

  1. Stay up to date on COVID vaccines.
  2.  Stay home if you’re feeling sick and return to usual activities only if fever-free for at least 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medicines, and symptoms are improving.
  3. Wearing a mask when you are indoors with other people helps protect you and those around you. Wearing a mask when you have or are recovering from COVID symptoms is particularly important to prevent spreading the illness to others.
  4. Take a COVID test if you have symptoms and might need treatment. Many respiratory viruses have similar symptoms, but treatments differ. Antiviral treatments for COVID and influenza can prevent hospitalization and death. Treatments work best when taken as soon as possible after symptoms begin.

Additional strategies for reducing the spread of COVID and other respiratory disease can be found on the state Health Department’s website.

You can visit the new Respiratory Disease Dashboard here.

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Hawai‘i Department of Health supports CDC updates to COVID-19 guidance https://bigislandnow.com/2024/03/01/hawaii-department-of-health-supports-cdc-updates-to-covid-19-guidance/ https://bigislandnow.com/2024/03/01/hawaii-department-of-health-supports-cdc-updates-to-covid-19-guidance/#respond Sat, 02 Mar 2024 01:39:17 +0000 https://bigislandnow.com/?p=369576 The Hawai‘i Department of Health is in general agreement with today’s updated COVID-19 guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

DOH continuously reviews data on respiratory pathogens, including the virus that causes COVID-19.

When people get sick with a respiratory virus, the updated guidance recommends that they stay home and away from others. For people with COVID-19 and influenza, treatment is available and can lessen symptoms and lower the risk of severe illness. The recommendations suggest returning to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, symptoms are improving overall, and if a fever was present, it has been gone without use of a fever-reducing medication.

Once people resume normal activities, they are encouraged to take additional prevention strategies for the next 5 days to curb disease spread, such as taking more steps for cleaner air, enhancing hygiene practices, wearing a well-fitting mask, keeping a distance from others, and/or getting tested for respiratory viruses.

CDC’s updated guidance reflects how the circumstances around COVID-19 in particular have changed. While it remains a threat, today it is far less likely to cause severe illness because of widespread immunity and improved tools to prevent and treat the disease. Importantly, states and countries that have already adjusted recommended isolation times have not seen increased hospitalizations or deaths related to COVID-19.

The trend in Hawai‘i is similar to that nationally, in which significant declines in COVID-19 hospitalizations and mortality have been associated with the high degree of population immunity, availability of vaccinations, and access to treatment. As the threat from COVID-19 more closely resembles other common respiratory viruses, CDC is issuing Respiratory Virus Guidance, rather than additional virus-specific guidance.

The new pan-respiratory guidance makes it easier for people to take actions to prevent disease spread, even if they are unable to identify the specific respiratory disease.

DOH will be reviewing CDCʻs guidance over the coming week as the department prepares updates to state-level guidance to align with these changes.

To read more about the CDC’s changes, visit Protect yourself from COVID-19, Flu, and RSV.

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State reminds public to be vigilant because of uptick in COVID hospital admissions https://bigislandnow.com/2023/08/10/state-reminds-public-to-be-vigilant-because-of-uptick-in-covid-hospital-admissions/ https://bigislandnow.com/2023/08/10/state-reminds-public-to-be-vigilant-because-of-uptick-in-covid-hospital-admissions/#respond Fri, 11 Aug 2023 05:02:49 +0000 https://bigislandnow.com/?p=351654 The Hawai‘i Department of Health is reminding the public to be vigilant because of a steady increase in reported cases of COVID-19 since June through the islands.

As of Aug. 7, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that COVID hospital admissions for the City and County of Honolulu and Maui County increased from low to medium level. For the week ending July 29, the hospitalization rate for Honolulu and Maui counties increased to 10.4 new COVID hospitalizations per 100,000 people.

The new cases bumped the state’s hospitalization levels from low to medium level. The recent uptick in COVID hospitalizations also parallels rates nationwide.

The DOH is reminding members of the public to do their part to protect themselves and others from COVID-19, especially with the recent devastating wildfires on Maui that have resulted in an influx of hospitalizations on Maui and Oʻahu.

“The sudden increase in hospitalizations from the tragic wildfires highlights the need to preserve hospital capacity and prevent hospitalizations due to COVID-19,” said state Health Director Dr. Kenneth Fink. “While most people will have mild illness, taking personal steps can help reduce the risk of severe infection and further spread of the virus.”

Scores of displaced residents and visitors are being housed at shelters operated by the American Red Cross and faith-based organizations on Maui. The Hawai‘i Convention Center in Honolulu is also preparing to accommodate hundreds of displaced residents and visitors.

With so many people congregating, masking and physical distancing, to the extent possible and especially if symptomatic, should be emphasized.

With hospital admission rates in Hawai‘i on the rise, the state Health Department recommends the following:

  • If you or a family member are at high risk for severe illness, wear a high-quality mask or respirator in public indoor spaces.
  • If you plan to visit someone who is at high risk of getting very sick, consider self-testing to detect infection before contact and consider wearing a mask when indoors with them.

The increase in cases and hospital admissions also serves as a reminder for everyone to make sure they are up to date with their COVID vaccinations. You can find locations that offer vaccinations by clicking here.

Additionally, masking continues to be an effective way to protect yourself and others.

If you are exposed to COVID, follow the CDC recommendations for exposure. If you develop symptoms or test positive, adhere to the recommended isolation procedures.

If you have COVID and are susceptible to severe illness, especially people 50 and older, those with certain medical conditions and the immunocompromised, discuss treatment with your health care provider to reduce your risk of hospitalization and death.

For more information, click here.

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Federal Public Health Emergency ends today for COVID-19, but disease has not disappeared https://bigislandnow.com/2023/05/11/federal-public-health-emergency-ends-today-for-covid-19-but-disease-has-not-disappeared/ https://bigislandnow.com/2023/05/11/federal-public-health-emergency-ends-today-for-covid-19-but-disease-has-not-disappeared/#respond Fri, 12 May 2023 01:24:55 +0000 https://bigislandnow.com/?p=340254

The federal Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 will end on May 11, 2023.

This action was taken because high levels of vaccination, widespread population immunity and available treatments have significantly reduced the risk of severe COVID-19 disease, hospitalization and death in the United States.

But it does not mean the disease has disappeared.

Hawaiʻi State Health Director Dr. Kenneth Fink said in a news release: “Although the federal [Public Health Emergency] is ending, we’ve learned that we must remain vigilant and continue to invest in public health preparedness.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the end of the emergency means:

  • Vaccines will remain available. Access to COVID-19 vaccines will generally not be affected for now. The U.S. government is currently distributing free COVID-19 vaccines for all adults and children.
  • COVID-19 at-home tests may not be covered by insurance. Insurance providers will no longer be required to waive costs or provide free at-home COVID-19 tests. COVID-19 tests ordered by healthcare providers when clinically indicated are generally expected to be covered by insurance but may have cost-sharing.
  • For people with Medicaid coverage, COVID-19 testing and treatment will remain covered at no cost through September 2024.
  • CDC will discontinue reporting of COVID-19 community levels and some other COVID-19 metrics like percent positivity. These changes are because of changing laboratory requirements with the end of the Public Health Emergency, and also because case data has become less reliable with the popularity of self-testing that is not reported.

The Hawai’i Department of Health reports:

  • Sometime later this year, COVID-19 vaccines are anticipated to become commercially available, and DOH will provide more information on this transition to providers and the public as it becomes available. DOH remains committed to working with providers and federal agencies to ensure equitable vaccine supply for Hawai‘i residents.
  • DOH will continue to partner with long-term care facilities, other healthcare and congregate settings, schools and community organizations to investigate illness clusters and outbreaks of concern, provide technical assistance and educate partners and the public on how to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19.
  • DOH will continue to maintain dashboards that provide situational awareness of COVID-19 trends and impacts in Hawai‘i.
  • While masks are no longer required in public settings in the state of Hawai‘i, use of a properly fitting high quality mask remains an important tool for preventing COVID-19 and many other respiratory illnesses. Those with high risk of severe disease, such as kūpuna and those with chronic medical conditions, and those who interact closely with these groups, should consider wearing a mask in situations where social distancing is not possible.
  • Vaccines are still the best tool for preventing infection or severe illness from COVID-19. It is recommended for anyone over 6 months of age. Anyone who has not yet received a bivalent vaccine dose should get one. And anyone who is at increased risk for severe infection and has received a bivalent dose should consider receiving a second dose.  Bivalent vaccines provide better coverage for the variants of COVID-19 currently in the community. Detailed vaccine recommendations can be found here. Find your nearest COVID-19 vaccine provider at Vaccines.gov.
  • Vaccinations and masking are particularly important for people who are immunocompromised or for those who have frequent contact with individuals who fall into this category.
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CDC allows second dose of updated vaccine for older, immunocompromised adults https://bigislandnow.com/2023/04/26/cdc-allows-second-dose-of-updated-vaccine-for-older-immunocompromised-adults/ https://bigislandnow.com/2023/04/26/cdc-allows-second-dose-of-updated-vaccine-for-older-immunocompromised-adults/#respond Thu, 27 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0000 https://bigislandnow.com/?p=338131
Stock Photo (Pixabay)

Following the Food and Drug Administration’s action, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has taken steps to simplify COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and allow more flexibility for people at higher risk who want the option of added protection from additional COVID-19 vaccine doses. 

CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices met to discuss these COVID-19 vaccine recommendation changes, and the associated implications and implementation.

Although there was no vote at this meeting, committee members expressed their support for these recommendations.

These changes include:

  • CDC’s new recommendations allow an additional updated (bivalent) vaccine dose for adults ages 65 years and older and additional doses for people who are immunocompromised. This allows more flexibility for healthcare providers to administer additional doses to immunocompromised patients as needed.  
  • Monovalent (original) COVID-19 mRNA COVID-19 vaccines will no longer be recommended for use in the United States. 
  • CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 years and older receive an updated (bivalent) mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether they previously completed their (monovalent) primary series.  
  • Individuals ages 6 years and older who have already received an updated mRNA vaccine do not need to take any action unless they are 65 years or older or immunocompromised. 
  • For young children, multiple doses continue to be recommended and will vary by age, vaccine, and which vaccines were previously received.  

Alternatives to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines remain available for people who cannot or will not receive an mRNA vaccine. CDC’s recommendations for use of (monovalent) Novavax or Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccines were not affected by the changes made. 

CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will continue to monitor COVID-19 disease levels and vaccine effectiveness in the months ahead and look forward to additional discussion around potential updates this fall. 

For more information on COVID-19 vaccinations in Hawaiʻi, visit: hawaiicovid19.com.

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Local health care leaders agree COVID-19 pandemic at transition point https://bigislandnow.com/2023/02/01/local-health-care-leaders-agree-covid-19-pandemic-at-transition-point/ https://bigislandnow.com/2023/02/01/local-health-care-leaders-agree-covid-19-pandemic-at-transition-point/#respond Wed, 01 Feb 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://bigislandnow.com/?p=330031
COVID-19 statistics reported by the Department of Health.

The World Health Organization determined the COVID-19 pandemic is approaching a transition point — and President Joe Biden informed Congress on Monday that he will end the twin national emergencies for addressing COVID-19 on May 11.

But for Hawaiʻi County, Mayor Mitch Roth said all county emergency proclamations related to COVID were dropped several months ago.

“We have already transitioned out of the pandemic response,” Roth said.

From March 2020, when COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, through Jan. 25, 2023, the Hawai‘i Department of Health recorded 376,977 infections for the state, with an unknown number of infections not reported. xx people were reported to have died from the virus.

On the Big Island, the number of reported infections through the same time period is 42,122 with 224 deaths. Click here for statewide COVID-19 data.

While the pandemic response may be over, COVID-19 still is circulating on Hawaiʻi Island and throughout the state, although at low levels, according to local hospital and Department of Health data.

Over 1,600 people were screened at Kona’s first COVID-19 pop-up clinic on March 23, 2020. Submitted Photo

At the present, there are no COVID-19 outbreaks at either of the Big island’s two largest hospitals — Hilo Medical Center and Kona Community Hospital.

“We saw a minimal increase in local COVID activity in the first half of January after the holidays,” Hilo Medical Center spokesperson Elena Cabatu said.

The medical center currently has five patients being treated for the virus. It has not had any recent COVID-19 related deaths.

“The vast majority of COVID infections are found to be incidental cases with another primary reason for hospitalization,” Cabatu said. “It is very rare for COVID patients to end up in the ICU.”

At Kona Community Hospital, there were two COVID-related deaths in January. As of Jan. 29, Anne Padilla, the hospital spokesperson, said the Kona hospital was only treating one patient for the virus, but had been averaging between two to four COVID patients daily.

“Our Emergency Department lately has been dealing with capacity issues, COVID is not the issue,” Padilla said. “What we are seeing is partially the culmination of deferred healthcare in our community as a result of the pandemic.”

Because people have put off getting medical attention, their ailments are ultimately more severe which requires longer hospitalizations, Padilla said.

Hilo Medical Center spokesperson Elena Cabatu said the best way for the state to transition out of the pandemic is to have sound public health policy and educational outreach by the Health Department and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Big Island’s two largest hospitals currently follow the CDC’s COVID-19 recommendations.

The CDC guidelines include isolation of five days after testing positive for COVID-19. Isolation can end depending on how serious the symptoms are. Click here for all CDC COVID-19 guidelines.

“The World Health Organization’s temporary recommendations appear to be logical and based on public health,” said Hilo Medical Center spokesperson Elena Cabatu.

Those recommendations include:

  • Maintain momentum for COVID-19 vaccination to achieve 100% coverage of high-priority groups
  • Improve reporting of SARS-CoV-2 surveillance data to the World Health Organization
  • Increase uptake and ensure long-term availability of medical countermeasures
  • Maintain strong national response capacity and prepare for future events
  • Continue working with communities and their leaders to address the infodemic and to effectively implement risk-based public health and social measures
  • Continue to adjust any remaining international travel-related measures
  • Continue to support research for improved vaccines that reduce transmission

Vaccinations remain one of the best ways to stop the spread of the virus and provide better outcomes for people who get the virus. Cabatu said the hospital screens, recommends and offers patients vaccination when they come in for care.

Roth said the county is still handing out at-home COVID test kits. The county website provides information on where people can get tested and obtain a vaccine.

Kona Community Hospital leaders also agree that the pandemic is transitioning, but COVID is still a global problem.

“There continue to be millions of COVID cases worldwide, and many countries are experiencing a shortage of vaccine,” said Judy Donovan, marketing and strategic planning director for Kona Community Hospital. “We monitor CDC data daily in order to understand mainland trends because those have the potential to impact Hawai‘i.”

Donovan said the hospital encourages everyone to take personal responsibility of their health. Wear a mask if they feel they need to. Folks should stay home if they feel sick and are symptomatic, and test immediately. They should stay up to date on the vaccines and boosters.

While the pandemic put the whole world on hold, Roth said there were some good things that came out of it. He specifically cited increased virtual access to county and state public meetings.

“People are now testifying at [state] legislative sessions from the neighbor islands,” the mayor said.

Additionally, Roth said there is more common sense surrounding staying at home when sick, instead of going to work and infecting others. Washing hands and having good hygiene are regularly preached.

“It’s a bigger deal to society now having gone through this,” Roth said. “Our situational common sense has changed and I don’t think it will change, at least for a while.”

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COVID-19 remains global health emergency, but pandemic is at a transition point, World Health Organization says https://bigislandnow.com/2023/01/30/covid-19-remains-global-health-emergency-but-pandemic-is-at-a-transition-point-world-health-organization-says/ https://bigislandnow.com/2023/01/30/covid-19-remains-global-health-emergency-but-pandemic-is-at-a-transition-point-world-health-organization-says/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2023 18:46:17 +0000 https://bigislandnow.com/?p=329919 The World Health Organization said Monday the COVID-19 pandemic remains a dangerous and infectious disease, however, the global health crisis appears to be approaching a transition point.

WHO’s International Health Regulations Emergency Committee discussed the pandemic on Friday at its 14th meeting on COVID-19, and Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus concurred the pandemic continues to constitute a public health emergency of international concern, or PHEIC.

The Committee recommended that WHO develop a proposal for alternative mechanisms to maintain the global and national focus on COVID-19 after the PHEIC is terminated.

“The Committee acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic may be approaching an inflexion point,” according to a WHO statement released Monday. “Achieving higher levels of population immunity globally, either through infection and/or vaccination, may limit the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on morbidity and mortality, but there is little doubt that this virus will remain a permanently established pathogen in humans and animals for the foreseeable future. As such, long-term public health action is critically needed. While eliminating this virus from human and animal reservoirs is highly unlikely, mitigation of its devastating impact on morbidity and mortality is achievable and should continue to be a prioritized goal.”

While the world is in a better position than it was during the peak of the Omicron transmission one year ago, more than 170,000 COVID-19-related deaths have been reported globally within the last eight weeks, according to the statement. In addition, surveillance and genetic sequencing have declined globally, making it more difficult to track known variants and detect new ones.

The committee also agreed that COVID-19 remains a dangerous infectious disease with the capacity to cause substantial damage to health and health systems.

Temporary recommendations issued by WHO include:

  • Maintain momentum for COVID-19 vaccination to achieve 100% coverage of high-priority groups
  • Improve reporting of SARS-CoV-2 surveillance data to WHO
  • Increase uptake and ensure long-term availability of medical countermeasures
  • Maintain strong national response capacity and prepare for future events
  • Continue working with communities and their leaders to address the infodemic and to effectively implement risk-based public health and social measures
  • Continue to adjust any remaining international travel-related measures
  • Continue to support research for improved vaccines that reduce transmission

The organization declared the coronavirus outbreak to be a public health emergency of international concern in January 2020, about six weeks before characterizing it as a pandemic.

The United States remains under its own public health emergency declaration, which Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra renewed most recently on Jan. 11.

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Report: COVID-19 booster vaccinations lag as negative impacts from virus widen https://bigislandnow.com/2023/01/05/report-covid-19-booster-vaccinations-lag-as-negative-impacts-from-virus-widen/ https://bigislandnow.com/2023/01/05/report-covid-19-booster-vaccinations-lag-as-negative-impacts-from-virus-widen/#respond Thu, 05 Jan 2023 22:00:00 +0000 https://bigislandnow.com/?p=327843 A new comprehensive report by researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization, or UHERO, finds more of the state’s residents are contracting COVID-19, fewer are getting COVID booster shots and the number of those impacted by long-COVID illnesses remains high.

The report was released Thursday and is based on responses from 1,627 adult Hawaiʻi residents to a survey administered in partnership with the Pacific Alliance Against COVID-19 during fall 2022. Researchers have a statewide cohort of more than 2,000 residents who are surveyed regularly.

This was the second survey developed to inform the design and execution of public health programs in the state for COVID and other disasters while addressing systemic health disparities. The first report was released June 20, 2022, and was based on survey responses in May last year.

Highlights of the Jan. 5 report include:

COVID outcomes and vaccination

  • COVID positivity has increased since the last report. In November, 45.5% of respondents had tested positive for COVID at least once compared to only 24.8% in May. Higher rates continue to be seen among younger adults and Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and Filipino populations, as well as unvaccinated and unboosted individuals.
  • High vaccination rate and low booster shots among adults; 94.5% of respondents are vaccinated but only 27% received the bivalent booster shot.
  • Long-COVID outcomes remain high. The overall rate of long-COVID remained stable at close to 30%, but more individuals reported severe or very severe symptoms in the fall compared with the spring. The expected length of long-COVID symptoms increased to 4.42 months, a spike of about one month, since the last report.
  • Flu shot uptake is correlated with COVID vaccination; 62% of respondents already got their flu shots with an additional 8.4% planning to get one, while 77.3% of vaccinated individuals have or plan to get a flu shot. Just 21.8% of those unvaccinated plan to get a flu shot.

Perceptions and views of COVID

  • Perceptions of neighborhood/community safety against COVID have risen. More people, 68.7% of respondents, felt safe or very safe in the fall compared to 61% in the spring.
  • Some people feel COVID fatigue. Signs of COVID fatigue are present, with the highest levels found among those unvaccinated and those vaccinated without booster shots.

COVID impacts

  • The impact of the pandemic continues to increase since May of last year, with 28.6% of the individuals responding to the survey reporting that their savings have been depleted, 13.6% unable to pay bills and 9% without enough food in their household. During the same time period, 4.4% of respondents lost their jobs and 7.2% were furloughed or reduced their working hours.
  • Long-COVID is negatively affecting employment. Despite the rate of long-COVID being about 30%, unemployed people have a 47% rate of long-COVID, a five-point increase since May.
  • Depression symptoms remain high but stable. Rates of depression symptoms remained stable since May, at about 1 in 3 adults reporting depression symptoms, with higher levels of depression reported by those affected by the pandemic.
  • Race disparities were observed in mental health outcomes. Korean and Japanese respondents had the best mental health outcomes, while Native Hawaiian, Latino and Native American respondents had the lowest mental health outcomes.
  • Food insecurity remained high but stable. The percentage of respondents reporting low food security reduced slightly to 8.2% from 8.4% in May.

“Overall, as we enter a new phase of the pandemic, Hawaiʻi’s populations are becoming more confident that the worst of the pandemic is behind us, driving COVID-19 booster uptake down,” said Ruben Juarez, Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association endowed professor in health economics at UHERO, in a press release. “Significant impacts exacerbated by the pandemic, including long-COVID, mental health issues and the impact of long-COVID on unemployment, may pose significant challenges that warrant monitoring.”

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health on Wednesday reported 1,316 new COVID cases, bringing the statewide total to 373,514 cases since the pandemic began. There were 148 new cases reported on the Big Island. There now have been a total of 41,709 COVID cases reported on Hawai’i Island since the beginning of the pandemic.

Nearly 1,800 COVID deaths had been reported statewide as of Wednesday.

Click here for more from the UHERO report.

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Updated COVID-19 vaccines coming soon for keiki as young as 6 months old https://bigislandnow.com/2022/12/10/updated-covid-19-vaccines-coming-soon-for-keiki-as-young-as-6-months-old/ https://bigislandnow.com/2022/12/10/updated-covid-19-vaccines-coming-soon-for-keiki-as-young-as-6-months-old/#comments Sat, 10 Dec 2022 15:30:00 +0000 https://bigislandnow.com/?p=325625 COVID-19 bivalent vaccines for children as young as 6 months old will soon be on their way to Hawai‘i after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Dec. 8 authorized the emergency use of the keiki-sized doses.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health has placed orders to supply participating health care providers with updated bivalent vaccines for young children. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Dec. 9 expanded the use of bivalent vaccines to include children ages 6 months through 5 years old.

Initial orders of updated keiki vaccines are expected to arrive early next week. The state’s health care providers can administer them as soon as they arrive.

“The authorization of these updated bivalent vaccines comes at a good time,” said state Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char. “Now, young children can get the same protection adults have as families gather for the holidays.”

Children from 6 months to 5 years old who completed the two dose primary series of Moderna vaccines are eligible for a Moderna bivalent booster two months after their final primary series dose. Those who received two of the three doses of Pfizer’s primary series will receive a Pfizer bivalent vaccine as their third primary dose.

Children who completed all three doses of Pfizer’s primary series are not yet eligible for a bivalent booster.

Parents can find information about providers and the services they offer at vaccines.gov or by visiting the vaccine finder map.

Additional eligibility information from the Food and Drug Administration is available here.

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COVID weekly update: 197 new infections reported on the Big Island https://bigislandnow.com/2022/10/26/covid-weekly-update-197-new-infections-reported-on-the-big-island/ https://bigislandnow.com/2022/10/26/covid-weekly-update-197-new-infections-reported-on-the-big-island/#respond Wed, 26 Oct 2022 21:44:42 +0000 https://bigislandnow.com/?p=321331 The state Department of Health reported 1,327 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, Oct. 26, bringing the statewide total to 361,817. Two new fatalities were reported.

Big Island saw a dip in new infections from 372 last week to 197 this week. A map documenting new cases by district throughout all islands can be accessed at the DOH website.

The island-by-island case count is as follows:

O‘ahu: 251,156
Hawaiʻi: 40,365
Maui: 41,340
Kaua‘i: 18,134
Moloka‘i: 1,277
Lana‘i: 809
Pending: 0
Out-of-State: 8,736

The average number of people statewide hospitalized for the virus from Oct. 13-19 was 66. At least 1,704 have died since the pandemic began.

For a comprehensive calendar and list of all pharmacies and clinics providing vaccination and testing on the island, visit the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense website.

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Weekly COVID update: Big Island sees spike in new infections https://bigislandnow.com/2022/10/19/weekly-covid-update-big-island-sees-spike-in-new-infections/ https://bigislandnow.com/2022/10/19/weekly-covid-update-big-island-sees-spike-in-new-infections/#respond Wed, 19 Oct 2022 21:56:21 +0000 https://bigislandnow.com/?p=320739

The state Department of Health reported 2,211 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, Oct. 19, bringing the statewide total to 360,490. Three new fatalities were reported.

Big Island saw a spike in new infections from 89 last week 372 this week. A map documenting new cases by district throughout all islands can be accessed at the DOH website.

The island-by-island case count is as follows:

O‘ahu: 250,279
Hawaiʻi: 40,168
Maui: 41,187
Kaua‘i: 18,052
Moloka‘i: 1,273
Lana‘i: 809
Pending: 0
Out-of-State: 8,722

The average number of people statewide hospitalized for the virus from Oct. 6-12 was 53. At least 1,702 have died since the pandemic began.

For a comprehensive calendar and list of all pharmacies and clinics providing vaccination and testing on the island, visit the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense website.

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COVID weekly update: 89 new cases reported on Big Island https://bigislandnow.com/2022/10/12/covid-weekly-update-89-new-cases-reported-on-big-island/ https://bigislandnow.com/2022/10/12/covid-weekly-update-89-new-cases-reported-on-big-island/#respond Wed, 12 Oct 2022 21:57:32 +0000 https://bigislandnow.com/?p=320210 The state Department of Health reported 1,047 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, Oct. 12, bringing the statewide total to 358,279. Five new fatalities were reported.

A total of 89 new infections were reported Wednesday on the Big Island. A map documenting new cases by district throughout all islands can be accessed at the DOH website.

The island-by-island case count is as follows:

O‘ahu: 248,691
Hawaiʻi: 39,796
Maui: 41,045
Kaua‘i: 17,986
Moloka‘i: 1,271
Lana‘i: 809
Pending: 0
Out-of-State: 8,681

The average number of people statewide hospitalized for the virus from Sept. 29-Oct. 5 was 73. At least 1,699 have died since the pandemic began.

For a comprehensive calendar and list of all pharmacies and clinics providing vaccination and testing on the island, visit the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense website.

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COVID bivalent booster recommended for everyone over age 5 https://bigislandnow.com/2022/10/12/covid-bivalent-booster-recommended-for-everyone-over-age-5/ https://bigislandnow.com/2022/10/12/covid-bivalent-booster-recommended-for-everyone-over-age-5/#respond Wed, 12 Oct 2022 21:47:06 +0000 https://bigislandnow.com/?p=320205 The Department of Health recommends COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccines for everyone age five and older.

Bivalent boosters are the first COVID-19 vaccinations designed specifically to protect against original COVID-19 and the most common forms of COVID-19 in Hawai‘i, the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants.

The BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants account for almost all of the COVID-19 cases in Hawai‘i.

“This is great news for parents who want to protect their young children. Bivalent boosters were already available for everyone 12 and older. Now kids ages 5-11 can benefit from these new boosters too,” said State Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char, FACEP.

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an Emergency Use Authorization for the bivalent booster manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech for children ages 5-11 and the bivalent booster manufactured by Moderna for children and teens ages 6-17. Soon thereafter, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and DOH recommended bivalent boosters for everyone age five and older.

The new bivalent vaccines are to be administered as a single booster dose to those who previously completed a primary series of COVID-19 vaccines and those who have had one or two booster doses. Bivalent boosters can only be administered if it has been at least two months since a person’s most recent vaccination.

People can select a booster by either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna regardless of the vaccine brand they previously received.

Find information about providers and the services they offer at vaccines.gov or by visiting the vaccine finder map at https://hawaiicovid19.com/vaccine/.

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COVID boosters, flu shots available during Walmart Wellness Day https://bigislandnow.com/2022/10/07/covid-boosters-flu-shots-available-during-walmart-wellness-day/ https://bigislandnow.com/2022/10/07/covid-boosters-flu-shots-available-during-walmart-wellness-day/#respond Fri, 07 Oct 2022 22:00:00 +0000 https://bigislandnow.com/?p=319865 As flu season approaches and COVID-19 continues to infect — and re-infect — people throughout the islands, Walmart is offering a chance for Big Island residents to protect themselves.

The Hilo and Kailua-Kona Walmart locations will join the other eight stores throughout Hawai‘i and more than 4,600 stores nationwide this weekend to host Wellness Day. From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, customers can receive affordable immunizations for flu, pneumonia, shingles, human papillomavirus (HPV), tetanus, hepatitis, measles, mumps, whooping cough and others at Walmart pharmacies. COVID bivalent boosters will also be available for free.

Walmart locations in Hilo and Kailua-Kona will host Wellness Day on Saturday, Oct. 8. (File photo)

“As we move into the fall and winter seasons, we want to do our part in helping families remain protected through immunizations,” Kevin Host, Walmart’s senior vice president of pharmacy, said in a press release. “Wellness Day is such an impactful event because it allows customers an opportunity to check in on health priorities, meet our incredible pharmacists and engage in conversations around wellness. Along with our pharmacies, we also deliver care through Walmart Health Virtual Care and Walmart Health Centers, which highlights our commitment to improving access to quality, affordable health care.”

Walmart Wellness Day events will also feature wellness resources and the opportunity to talk with pharmacists, demonstrations, giveaways and product sampling in select stores.

As children return to school this fall and adults resume normal activities, immune systems could be exposed to germs and viruses they haven’t battled since the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Walmart Wellness Day encourages families to stay updated on immunizations, connect with local pharmacists and take advantage of free wellness resources.

Walmart pharmacies have hosted Walmart Wellness Days since 2004, administering more than 5 million health screenings for customers. For more information, click here.

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COVID Weekly Update: 109 New Cases Reported on Big Island https://bigislandnow.com/2022/10/05/covid-weekly-update-109-new-cases-reported-on-big-island/ https://bigislandnow.com/2022/10/05/covid-weekly-update-109-new-cases-reported-on-big-island/#respond Wed, 05 Oct 2022 20:59:44 +0000 https://bigislandnow.com/?p=319661 The state Department of Health reported 1,273 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, Oct. 5, bringing the statewide total to 357,232. Eight new fatalities were reported.

A total of 109 new infections were reported Wednesday on the Big Island. A map documenting new cases by district throughout all islands can be accessed at the DOH website.

The island-by-island case count is as follows:

  • O‘ahu: 247,924
  • Hawaiʻi: 39,707
  • Maui: 40,957
  • Kaua‘i: 17,906
  • Moloka‘i: 1,268
  • Lana‘i: 808
  • Pending: 0
  • Out-of-State: 8,662

The average number of people statewide hospitalized for the virus from Sept. 29-Oct. 5 was 73. At least 1,694 have died since the pandemic began.

For a comprehensive calendar and list of all pharmacies and clinics providing vaccination and testing on the island, visit the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense website.

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State: COVID Reinfection Rate Rising https://bigislandnow.com/2022/09/28/state-covid-reinfection-rate-rising/ https://bigislandnow.com/2022/09/28/state-covid-reinfection-rate-rising/#respond Wed, 28 Sep 2022 19:53:04 +0000 https://bigislandnow.com/?p=319142 COVID-19 reinfections are on the rise.

The state Department of Health said Wednesday morning that the percentage of COVID cases involving people who previously were infected is growing and now accounts for about 10% of new confirmed cases.

“The data on reinfections underscores what we have been saying; that limited immunity from previous infection only lasts so long,” State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble said in a press release. “Regardless of whether a person has had COVID-19 in the past, they should stay up to date on their vaccinations and boosters to get increased protection from severe illness and hospitalization.”

There have been 10,995 reinfections throughout the state since September 2020, when the first reinfection was recorded. The 10,995 reinfections represent 3.09% of Hawai‘i’s total number of cases.

“Reinfections were rare early in the pandemic. Reinfection statistics were relatively insignificant,” Kemble said in the press release. “However, the percentage of COVID-19 cases involving people who have had prior infection has increased over time. Reinfections now account for about 10% of all new COVID-19 cases in Hawai‘i.”

Adding the 10,995 reinfections to the 344,964 cases involving unique individuals brings the state’s total case count as of Wednesday to 355,959. Going forward, reinfections will be counted in the seven-day average daily case count. This will result in higher average daily case counts compared with the previous data reporting method.

Until now, the total COVID case count displayed on the state’s dashboard represented the number of unique individuals who tested positive and were reported to the Health Department. A person who tested positive multiple times was counted once.

The updated total case count published on the data dashboard Wednesday includes every confirmed positive case reported to the state since the first reinfection was recorded in 2020 as long as the second case happened at least 90-days after the first. Multiple positive tests within a 90-day period are counted only once.

For more information about reinfections, click here.

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Department of Health Adds Reinfection Cases to Weekly COVID Case Count https://bigislandnow.com/2022/09/28/department-of-health-adds-reinfection-cases-to-weekly-covid-case-count/ https://bigislandnow.com/2022/09/28/department-of-health-adds-reinfection-cases-to-weekly-covid-case-count/#respond Wed, 28 Sep 2022 19:23:54 +0000 https://bigislandnow.com/?p=319140 The state Department of Health reported 12,755 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, Sept. 28, bringing the statewide total to 355,959. The spike in cases is due to the DOH adding reinfection case counts.

As of today, COVID-19 reinfections will be included in the weekly update if the case is 90 days or more after the previous infection. COVID-19 reinfection is when a person who had the virus recovered and then later became infected again.

Historic reinfections from the beginning of the pandemic through the present have also been added. According to the DOH, the first reported reinfections occurred in September 2020.

Seven new fatalities were also reported statewide.

A total of 167 new infections were reported Wednesday on the Big Island as well as 1,073 reinfections. A map documenting new cases by district throughout all islands can be accessed at the DOH website.

The island-by-island case count is as follows:

O‘ahu: 247,014
Hawaiʻi: 39,598
Maui: 40,836
Kaua‘i: 17,816
Moloka‘i: 1,264
Lana‘i: 805
Pending: 0
Out-of-State: 8,626

There are currently 67 individuals hospitalized for the virus. At least 1,686 have died since the pandemic began. Hospitalization data is updated Monday through Friday, except on state and federal holidays.

For a comprehensive calendar and list of all pharmacies and clinics providing vaccination and testing on the island, visit the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense website.

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COVID Weekly Update: 145 New Cases Reported on Big Island https://bigislandnow.com/2022/09/22/covid-weekly-update-145-new-cases-reported-on-big-island/ https://bigislandnow.com/2022/09/22/covid-weekly-update-145-new-cases-reported-on-big-island/#respond Thu, 22 Sep 2022 22:00:00 +0000 https://bigislandnow.com/?p=318747 The state Department of Health reported 1,132 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, Sept. 21, bringing the statewide total to 343,204. Fourteen new fatalities were reported.

A total of 145 new infections were reported Wednesday on the Big Island. A map documenting new cases by district throughout all islands can be accessed at the DOH website.

The island-by-island case count is as follows:

O‘ahu: 237,922
Hawaiʻi: 38,358
Maui: 39,034
Kaua‘i: 17,282
Moloka‘i: 1,238
Lana‘i: 786
Pending: 0
Out-of-State: 8,584

There are currently 67 individuals hospitalized for the virus. At least 1,679 have died since the pandemic began. Hospitalization data is updated Monday through Friday, except on state and federal holidays.

For a comprehensive calendar and list of all pharmacies and clinics providing vaccination and testing on the island, visit the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense website.

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COVID Weekly Update: 158 New Cases Reported on Big Island https://bigislandnow.com/2022/09/14/covid-weekly-update-158-new-cases-reported-on-big-island/ https://bigislandnow.com/2022/09/14/covid-weekly-update-158-new-cases-reported-on-big-island/#respond Wed, 14 Sep 2022 19:22:55 +0000 https://bigislandnow.com/?p=318106 The state Department of Health reported 1,343 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, Sept. 14, bringing the statewide total to 342,072. Ten new fatalities were reported.

A total of 158 new infections were reported Wednesday on the Big Island. A map documenting new cases by district throughout all islands can be accessed at the DOH website.

The island-by-island case count is as follows:

O‘ahu: 237,183
Hawaiʻi: 38,213
Maui: 38,919
Kaua‘i: 17,214
Moloka‘i: 1,236
Lana‘i: 782
Pending: 0
Out-of-State: 8,525

There are currently 102 individuals hospitalized for the virus. At least 1,665 have died since the pandemic began. Hospitalization data is updated Monday through Friday, except on state and federal holidays.

For a comprehensive calendar and list of all pharmacies and clinics providing vaccination and testing on the island, visit the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense website.

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Waimea Hospital Offering Bivalent COVID Booster https://bigislandnow.com/2022/09/10/waimea-hospital-offering-bivalent-covid-booster/ https://bigislandnow.com/2022/09/10/waimea-hospital-offering-bivalent-covid-booster/#respond Sat, 10 Sep 2022 16:30:00 +0000 https://bigislandnow.com/?p=317723 Big Island residents can now receive the newest COVID-19 booster shot at a North Hawai‘i hospital.

Queen’s North Hawai’i Community Hospital

Queen’s North Hawai‘i Community Hospital in Waimea is now offering the Pfizer bivalent booster for people 12 and older who have already completed their primary COVID vaccination series. The updated COVID booster was formulated to better protect against the most recently circulating variant and can help restore protection that has waned since previous vaccinations.

The bivalent vaccine is only a booster dose and not approved for primary or supplemental vaccine dose for the immunocompromised. People are eligible for the bivalent booster two months after their last COVID vaccine dose.

Regular COVID vaccinations continue to be available for adults as well as children as young as 6 months old.

COVID vaccinations are provided by appointment only at the Waimea hospital’s vaccination clinic from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. every Wednesday. The clinic is located in the annex on the south side of hospital campus near the emergency room. Those younger than 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

To make an appointment, call 808-881-4668 or email QNHCHvaccine@queens.org.

Here are a few helpful reminders before going to your vaccination appointment:

  • Arrive no earlier than 15 minutes prior to appointment.
  • If you are receiving a booster, your previous vaccination card is required.
  • Masks are required for adults and children older than 2.
  • All children receiving vaccines must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.
  • Children should be in comfortable, loose-fitting clothing; for children younger than 2, the vaccine is given in the upper thigh.
  • All patients will be monitored for side effects for a minimum of 15 minutes after receiving the vaccine.
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COVID Weekly Update: 134 New Cases Reported on Big Island https://bigislandnow.com/2022/09/07/covid-weekly-update-134-new-cases-reported-on-big-island/ https://bigislandnow.com/2022/09/07/covid-weekly-update-134-new-cases-reported-on-big-island/#respond Wed, 07 Sep 2022 19:12:43 +0000 https://bigislandnow.com/?p=317465 The state Department of Health reported 1,215 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, Sept. 7, bringing the statewide total to 340,729. Eleven new fatalities were reported.

A total of 134 new infections were reported Wednesday on the Big Island. A map documenting new cases by district throughout all islands can be accessed at the DOH website.

The island-by-island case count is as follows:

O‘ahu: 236,254
Hawaiʻi: 38,055
Maui: 38,794
Kaua‘i: 17,166
Moloka‘i: 1,228
Lana‘i: 781
Pending: 0
Out-of-State: 8,451

There are currently 102 individuals hospitalized for the virus. At least 1,655 have died since the pandemic began. Hospitalization data is updated Monday through Friday, except on state and federal holidays.

For a comprehensive calendar and list of all pharmacies and clinics providing vaccination and testing on the island, visit the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense website.

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DOH: New Bivalent COVID-19 Boosters Offer Enhanced Protection https://bigislandnow.com/2022/09/01/doh-new-bivalent-covid-19-boosters-offer-enhanced-protection/ https://bigislandnow.com/2022/09/01/doh-new-bivalent-covid-19-boosters-offer-enhanced-protection/#respond Fri, 02 Sep 2022 01:43:21 +0000 https://bigislandnow.com/?p=317167

The Hawai‘i Department of Health recommends the use of the first bivalent booster vaccines designed specifically to protect against original COVID-19 and the most common forms of COVID-19 in Hawai‘i, the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants.

The BA.5 subvariant accounts for an estimated 91% of the COVID-19 cases in Hawai‘i. The BA.4 subvariant accounts for an additional 4% of the cases in Hawai‘i.

“The COVID-19 boosters we have been using do a good job of protecting us against severe illness. The new bivalent boosters are an upgrade because they take into account mutations of the COVID-19 virus to specifically address Omicron subvariants,” said State Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char, FACEP.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued Emergency Use Authorization for the bivalent COVID-19 boosters yesterday.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and DOH recommend the bivalent booster manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech for people age 12 and older. They recommend the bivalent booster by Moderna for adults age 18 and older.

The new bivalent vaccines are to be administered as a single booster dose to those who previously completed a primary series of COVID-19 vaccines and those who have had one or two booster doses. Bivalent boosters can only be administered if it has been at least two months since a person’s most recent vaccination.

The bivalent vaccines replace previously authorized monovalent mRNA boosters for people age 12 and older. The DOH and CDC continue to recommend Pfizer’s monovalent boosters for children ages 5 through 11.

The federal government allotted DOH initial orders totaling 37,800 doses of bivalent boosters. Those initial orders will arrive in the coming days. DOH will place additional orders weekly as needed.

Pharmacies and community health centers are placing orders for bivalent doses independent of DOH.

Scheduling of booster appointments will be done by individual vaccine providers once they receive delivery of bivalent boosters. Find information about providers and the services they offer by visiting the vaccine finder map, here.

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Weekly COVID Update: 205 New Cases Reported on Big Island https://bigislandnow.com/2022/08/31/weekly-covid-update-205-new-cases-reported-on-big-island/ https://bigislandnow.com/2022/08/31/weekly-covid-update-205-new-cases-reported-on-big-island/#respond Wed, 31 Aug 2022 19:48:26 +0000 https://bigislandnow.com/?p=317073 The state Department of Health reported 1,777 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, Aug. 31, bringing the statewide total to 339,514. Twelve new fatalities were reported.

A total of 205 new infections were reported Wednesday on the Big Island. A map documenting new cases by district throughout all islands can be accessed at the DOH website.

The island-by-island case count is as follows:

O‘ahu: 235,449
Hawaiʻi: 37,921
Maui: 38,643
Kaua‘i: 17,080
Moloka‘i: 1,221
Lana‘i: 781
Pending: 0
Out-of-State: 8,419

There are currently 119 individuals hospitalized for the virus. At least 1,644 have died since the pandemic began. Hospitalization data is updated Monday through Friday, except on state and federal holidays.

For a comprehensive calendar and list of all pharmacies and clinics providing vaccination and testing on the island, visit the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense website.

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